SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL

YEAR 1973

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1972

U.S. SENATE,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE BRANCH,
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS,

Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met at 3 p.m. in room S-128, the Capitol, Hon.

Ernest F. Hollings (chairman) presiding.

Present: Senators Hollings and Young.

U.S. SENATE

OFFICE SPACE AND PARKING REQUIREMENTS

SUBCOMMITTEE PROCEDURE

Senator HOLLINGS. The subcommittee will please come to order. We welcome our distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, Senator Jordan, and chairman of the Committee on Public Works, Senator Randolph, as well as Senator Bentsen, and chairman of the Senate Office Building Commission, Senator Sparkman.

While the committees on which you gentlemen serve have the initial responsibility in any additional construction on the Senate side, this subcommittee must pass on the monetary requests.

This afternoon, the subcommittee would like to develop, in a broad sense, the picture of the office space situation on the Senate side, and particularly what has been recommended by the Committee on Rules and Administration and what recommendations are presently under study.

What is the order of preference? Senator Randolph ?

Senator RANDOLPH. I would have no desire to go first, if it inconveniences my colleagues.

Senator HOLLINGS. You are in a committee conference at the present

time.

We will hear from Senator Randolph, if that is agreeable, gentle

men.

STATEMENT OF HON. JENNINGS RANDOLPH, U.S. SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA

SENATE REQUIREMENT FOR ADDITIONAL OFFICE SPACE

Senator RANDOLPH. I will try to cover the matter as briefly as I can and leave with you, Mr. Chairman, certain material that might be helpful. I would by way of preface, call your attention to a hearing before our Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Grounds of the Public Works Committee on the subject of Senate office space which was held August 3, 1967. During that hearing I took occasion to present a statement. I will not do more than read a few lines that may give my personal thinking on the problem that presents itself again now after some 5 years.

I don't know what it would cost 10 years from now but I am sure it would cost twice as much, or at least I would hazard that thought. I am informed that construction costs are increasing at the rate of 3.2 percent per year. Thus, the cost of construction of an extension to the New Senate Office Building 10 years from now would be much more than the cost of that construction today.

COST AND DIMENSIONS OF NSOB EXTENSION

The estimated cost of the New Senate Office Building extension in 1967 was $25,432,000. The current estimate up to 1974 would be $47,925,000.

Senator HOLLINGS. How many square feet of office space would that be, Senator?

Senator RANDOLPH. That would be the recommended 654,000 square feet and the cost would be approximately $40 per square foot when earlier estimated. Now it would be somewhere around $70 or $75 per square foot.

Senator HOLLINGS. Now, it would be $73 per square foot. I think the present building is some 712,000 square feet, that is the present New Senate Office Building. In other words, the addition would about double the size.

I see. So that is $73 per square foot?

Senator RANDOLPH. About that. I want to say that space furnished per individual at the present time in the Senate offices is very cramped. Ours is. I wanted to point that out.

Senator HOLLINGS. When you say "ours," is that public works? Senator RANDOLPH. Yes. Our committee staff occupies four rooms in the main building and three in the annex with a total area of about 2,380 square feet. That is 85 square feet per person.

Senator HOLLINGS. You have had hearings and the bill has been reported by the subcommittee.

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes. And Senators Jordan and Bentsen, of the Public Works Committee, who are here today, know that it is now a matter pending before the full committee.

Senator HOLLINGS. Do you think that could be reported by the full committee to the Senate floor and be acted upon this year in time for a supplemental?

Senator RANDOLPH. I believe it could be.

Senator HOLLINGS. Do you expect it to be? Is that the plan of the Public Works Committee at this time? Is the need critical or not?

NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE CRITICAL

Senator RANDOLPH. The need is critical. We are constantly approached by Senators by letter, by phone calls and by personal contacts who have a very real need, Mr. Chairman.

Senator HOLLINGS. I see.

Senator RANDOLPH. I think this is a side that I should have mentioned. I believe we would have moved forward had it not been for the considerable time we have spent on the water pollution amendments. Senator HOLLINGS. The committee has been very busy. Senator Randolph, can you give the committee some general outline of what the extension of the New Senate Office Building would comprise by way of committee rooms or any kind of restaurant facilities?

Senator RANDOLPH. That is more in the line of the building's architect.

Senator HOLLINGS. All right.

Senator RANDOLPH. I believe that it would be more appropriate to be carried forward by others.

GARAGE AND PARKING SPACE

Senator HOLLINGS. What about garage and parking space? Does the bill before the Committee on Public Works contain any provision for additional parking space?

Senator RANDOLPH. It is all wrapped up in the one bill here. We would need 2 years' construction time or more for the parking garage. Senator HOLLINGS. A parking garage is contemplated?

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes.

Senator HOLLINGS. For how many cars?

Senator RANDOLPH. 1,700-plus.

Senator HOLLINGS. At what approximate cost?

Senator RANDOLPH. $23 million.

Senator HOLLINGS. And that requires 2 years' construction time?
Senator RANDOLPH. Yes. Two or three years.

Senator HOLLINGS. That applies to the parking garage and the building?

Senator RANDOLPH. Really, 3 years' minimum construction for the office building. It may need more.

Senator HOLLINGS. Two years for the garage?

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes. Or even 3. We did feel there was a difference there. Others can make perhaps more definitive answers.

LAND ACQUISITION REQUIRED FOR GARAGE SPACE

Senator HOLLINGS. Is this on land available already within the ownership of the U.S. Government, or would this entail condemnation proceedings or purchase from private owners, either for the garage or the building?

Senator RANDOLPH. There would be some land acquisition. That would be for the garage and that would entail $3,800,000.

Senator HOLLINGS. Where would that be located?

Senator RANDOLPH. Where the Carroll Arms and Plaza Hotel buildings are now.

Senator HOLLINGS. That is the parking area.

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes, sir.

Senator HOLLINGS. Good. We will get a copy of this. At least for the record I think we are familiar with that part of it.

Senator RANDOLPH. You would have to demolish buildings.

Senator HOLLINGS. Is that cost built in?

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes, sir; $275,000.

Senator YOUNG. Would you have to acquire the Carroll Arms Hotel? Senator RANDOLPH. We would have to have a land acquisition for all the property we don't own there.

Mr. MEYER. The Senate owns property in that block. There are some apartment houses that would have to be bought, and the building which is already owned is used by the Immigration Service and would have to be taken over.

Senator YOUNG. You would not have to pay for a corporate development for it, would you? That is privately owned, isn't it?

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes, sir.

Senator YOUNG. It would have to be acquired?

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes.

Senator HOLLINGS. I believe there are one or two pieces that are Government-owned, is that correct?

Senator RANDOLPH. We have acquired the Plaza Hotel.

Senator HOLLINGS. You have the Plaza Hotel, is that right?
Senator RANDOLPH. You were a moving force in that, Senator.

VISITOR PARKING

Senator HOLLINGS. Senator Randolph, I know you have to be on your way. Let me ask one additional question: Is there anything in that bill as to parking for visitors?

Senator RANDOLPH. We have a provision, yes. That is the square 764. It is the former Providence Hospital site.

Senator HOLLINGS. Providence Hospital would be beyond this square. You wouldn't have a provision in the Public Works Committee for the acquisition of this Providence Hospital site?

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes.

Senator HOLLINGS. For what does the committee contemplate its usage?

Senator RANDOLPH. Temporary parking until something is built there or other plans are made for it.

Senator HOLLINGS. And how many spaces would that be?
Senator RANDOLPH. I don't believe we have it.

Mr. PURITON. I think it was 300 or something like that; 360, I believe.
Senator RANDOLPH. I think that is all the information I have.

Senator HOLLINGS. We know how busy you are, Senator.

Senator Young, do you have any questions?

Senator YOUNG. How many spaces for cars?

Senator RANDOLPH. 360 cars.

Senator HOLLINGS. 360 cars there. So it would be the completion of the new Senate Office Building almost duplication of the present facilities within the new Senate Office Building and parking garage for some 1,700 cars, and the acquisition of the Providence Hospital site for some 360 public parking places.